Erythrocyte Abnormalities in a Freshwater Fish, Labeo Rohita Exposed to Tannery Industry Effluent

The erythrocyte abnormality test was analyzed in kidney cells of freshwater fish, Labeo rohita exposed to tannery industry effluent. The 96h LC50 value of tannery effluent against fish was calculated by Finney method and it comes out to be 7.07%. Three sublethal concentrations on basis of 96h LC50 value (3.53%, 1.76% and 0.88%) were selected. Fishes were exposed to these concentrations for 24h, 48h, 72h and 96h. Erythrocyte abnormalities (Nuclear and cellular) other than micronuclei have drawn major attention in recent years. Eleven types of abnormalities (5 nuclear and 6 cellular) were observed. Nuclear abnormalities included Nuclear Extrusion (NE), Blebbed (B), Binucleated (BN), Lobed (L) and Notched (N) nuclei, whereas cellular abnormalities included Enucleated (EC), Vacuolated (VC), Deformed (DC), Echinocytic (EC), Spindle shaped (SC) and Apoptotic (AC) cells. The importance of these erythrocyte abnormalities as biomarkers of exposures has not been previously exploited. In present study effort has been made to compare all erythrocytes abnormalities in fishes exposed to the sublethal concentrations of tannery industry effluent. 3.53% and 1.76% concentration of tannery industry effluent proved to be more toxic concentrations and induced abnormalities which damage erythrocytes completely. However, at 0.88% concentration erythrocyte abnormalities were seen but decreased at 96h as compared to other two concentrations. This concentration can act as safe concentration for disposal of effluent in aquatic ecosystem. The increase in erythrocyte abnormalities indicated that tannery industry effluent increased the clastogenic effects on peripheral erythrocytes of Labeo rohita and may have similar effects on the human population located around the river and consume fishes.